Page 216 of My Ruthless Husband

I find myself smiling. If he’s staying in the village, he’s probably at one of the bed and breakfasts here. I’ll make sure to check all of them later.

After a quick shower, I get dressed hurriedly, ready to go but Mrs. Hawthorne hovers, never letting me out of her sight, never letting me do anything.

I finish my breakfast in record speed, noting how I got my appetite back after a month and a half.

An hour later, when I see her drift off, book in hand, I seize the opportunity. My feet are already moving. I slip out the door as quietly as I can.

I move quickly, feeling the adrenaline rush through me, my heart beating faster with each step.

The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes. I would spend my entire life loving him. I would give him everything—my heart, my trust, my devotion. Because he deserves it, all of it. Damian, with all his darkness, his flaws, his past. He deserves the chance to make things right, to build something better from the wreckage of his past.

Damian is far from a morally righteous man. I can still hear his voice, the way he coldly recounted Caleb and his family’s death, no remorse in his tone.

But did they show any remorse for what they did to him, to Summer, or Raleigh and many others? No. They earned what came to them. Everything Damian did, every choice he made, was a result of all the cruelty he’d been forced to endure.

Damian may not be a law-abiding man, but he protects and avenges those he loves, those who matter. He can do anything, go to any length for them. And I’m one of them.

Helovesme.

He’s willing to give me everything, to protect me at all costs. He’s willing to go to hell and back for me. How could I not give him all of me in return? How could I not be his, when he’s fought so hard for me?

I can’t wait to see him. To feel his arms around me, to know that everything will be okay.

I cross the road, barely hearing the screech of tires until it’s too late. With a shriek of horror, I hastily move out of the way but end up falling on the pavement. The car swerves violently to the other side, narrowly avoiding a crash.

I scramble to sit up, wincing as I check my skinned palms and knees.

“River!” A hand clamps over my shoulder. I look up and gasp at the sight of a very pale Matt looming over me.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Iblink up at Matt, still too stunned to speak as he helps me to my feet.

“Matt? Oh my god! What are you doing here? How have you been?”

His hands remain on my arms as I find my balance. “Leave it to you to ask about me when you’re the one bleeding,” he says, his smile tired.

I glance down at the scrapes on my knees and palms, only now noticing the sting. “It’s nothing,” I wave it off. “But seriously, why did you stop emailing me? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? I even had Vicky call Laura to figure out where you were! That’s how I found out you were in London, and—”

“Whoa, whoa,” he interrupts, holding his hands up in mock surrender, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It’s charming, but not in the way it used to be. It’s dimmed. “Let’s get you fixed up first, then we’ll catch up. I’ll take you to see a doctor.”

“No need, I stay nearby…” I say then remember where I was headed. “Really, I’m fine, and I’m kind of in a rush.”

“River,” he says, his tone firm now. His gaze drops to my bloodied legs. “Your skirt is torn, and you’re hurt. Whatever you’re rushing to can wait. You need to clean those wounds before they get worse. Come on, let me drive you home.”

I hesitate, glancing in the direction I’d been headed but Matt’s right. Showing up like this would only make Damian furious. Reluctantly, I follow him to the car and let him take me back to the cottage.

Matt leads me back to the cottage, his arm supporting me as I hobble alongside him.

The moment Mrs. Hawthorne opens the door, her eyes widen at the sight of me.

“Good heavens, child! What have you done to yourself now?” she exclaims, her gaze darting between my torn skirt and bloodied hands.

“It’s not as bad as it looks—” I start, but her stern glare cuts me off.

“She tripped,” Matt says quickly, stepping in. “But nothing too serious.”

“Tripped?” she echoes, her tone sharp. Her eyes shift to Matt, who is standing protectively by my side. “And who’s this?”

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